Toy with identification capability

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle set is disclosed herein. A toy vehicle set includes a toy vehicle having at least one reflective surface. A toy track is provided having a toy vehicle guiding pathway. A toy vehicle identification system is coupled to at least a portion of the toy track. The identification system includes a light source arranged to direct an emitted light towards the at least one reflective surface. A plurality of light sensors, each arranged to receive the emitted light that is reflected from the at least one reflective surface. A controller is electrically coupled to the plurality of light sensors, the controller having a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for identifying the toy vehicle in response to a first signal received from the plurality of light sensors.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to toy vehicles and play sets for use with toy vehicles, and more particularly to toy vehicle play sets that include a track and a contactless identification system to identify toy vehicles travelling along the track.

Toy vehicles and track sets have been popular for many years and generally include one or more track sections arranged to form a path around which one or more toy vehicles can travel. Toy vehicles which may be used on such track sets may be either self-powered vehicles or may receive power from an external source. In order to increase play value of the track sets, it is desirable to add track amusement features to the track set. Some track setups include features that track information, such as the number of laps completed by a toy vehicle. Such track setups, however, are limited by the ability of the track to distinguish between a plurality of toy vehicles that may be travelling on the track.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an identification system which is capable of interfacing with a plurality of different models of a class of toys and producing separate or individualized messages for each particular model.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a toy vehicle set is provided. The toy vehicle set includes a toy vehicle having at least one reflective surface. A toy track is provided having a toy vehicle guiding pathway. A toy vehicle identification system is coupled to at least a portion of the toy track. The identification system includes a light source arranged to direct an emitted light towards the at least one reflective surface. A plurality of light sensors, each arranged to receive the emitted light that is reflected from the at least one reflective surface. A controller is electrically coupled to the plurality of light sensors, the controller having a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for identifying the toy vehicle in response to a first signal received from the plurality of light sensors.

According to an another embodiment, another toy vehicle set is provided. The toy vehicle set includes a toy track having a toy vehicle guiding pathway. A launcher is coupled to the toy track having a first side and a second side. A toy vehicle identification system is provided integral with the launcher. The identification system including a light source and at least two light sensors, each arranged to receive a light emitted from the light source. A controller is electronically coupled to the at least two light sensors, the controller having a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for identifying a toy vehicle disposed in the launcher in response to a first signal received from the at least two light sensors.

According to yet another embodiment, a method is provided for identifying a toy vehicle. The method includes emitting a light from a light source and receiving the light reflected off the toy vehicle by a plurality of light sensors. A first signal of intensity value is generated by each of the plurality of light sensors. The identity and configuration of the toy vehicle is determined from the intensity value. A second signal is transmitted based on the identity of the toy vehicle.

According to yet another embodiment, an identification system is provided. The identification system includes a light source positioned within a movable portion of a toy. A plurality of light sensors is positioned adjacent the light source for sensing light from the light source reflected off of the movable portion, wherein the sensed light determines at least one feature of the object. A controller that uses the information from the at least one light sensor is used to identify the object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following description of embodiments, the description referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustration of an identification system disposed within the track in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an exemplary toy track set in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the toy vehicle identification system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A-4D is a schematic diagram of a controller for a toy vehicle identification system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a toy track set in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a toy vehicle in a first position; and,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the exemplary toy vehicle of FIG. 5 in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a toy track 60 is shown having a launcher 80 as the origin of the toy track set. The toy track 60 includes a guiding pathway 66 bounded at least partially by walls 62 on each side to constrain the movement of a toy vehicle 20 to a longitudinal direction along the pathway 66. As will be discussed in more detail below, the toy vehicle 20 includes at least one reflective surface 21 that may be used to determine the identity of the type of toy vehicle on the toy track 60. The toy track 60 may be provided in a series of connectable pieces or in a single integral piece made of extruded or molded plastic or other material. The toy track 60 may include any number of loops, turns, boosters, or other features, such as obstacles, that enhance the play value of the toy track 60. Additionally, the toy track 60 may form an infinite loop, for example a track in a figure-eight shape, or the toy track 60 may have a definitive start and finish. As illustrated, the guiding pathway 66 of the toy track 60 is wide enough to accommodate a single toy vehicle 20. However, the width of the pathway 66 may be adapted to accommodate any number of toy vehicles 20.

Connected to the toy track 60 is at least one toy vehicle identification system 70. The toy vehicle identification system 70 may be integral with the launcher 80, or may be a separate component that is arranged along the pathway 66, or a combination thereof. The toy vehicle identification system 70 includes a controller 71 having a microprocessor 73 connected to at least one light source 72 and at least one light sensor 74 as shown in FIG. 3. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source 72 is disposed within a portion of a wall 62 of track 60. At the light source 72, the inner surface 64 of the wall 62 includes an opening such that the emitted light is directed toward an opposing wall 62. The light source 72 is arranged such that when the toy vehicle 20 is positioned on the pathway 66, the emitted light will strike and reflect off of surface 21. The light source 72 may consist of a single LED, such as an infrared LED for example, or may include a plurality of LEDs. Adjacent the light source 72 is a plurality of light sensors 74 that receive the light reflected off of surface 21. The light sensors 74 output a signal that is representative of the reflective light.

The light sensor 74 may be any suitable sensor capable of receiving a photon of light and outputting an electrical signal in response. Therefore, the light sensor 74 may be, but is not limited to a phototransistor, a photo-resistor, a photodiode, a photo-emissive cell, a photo-conductive cell, a photo-voltaic cell, a photo junction device, a light dependent resistor, a photo-darlington device, a photo-thyristor, a silicon controlled rectifier or the like.

The controller 71 may include a circuit 90 shown in FIG. 4 that interconnects the components of the controller 71. The circuit 90 may have a portion 79 that includes the light source 72, such as a light emitting diode for example, tied to a common power source with a light sensor 74. In the exemplary embodiment, the circuit 90 includes a plurality of light sensors 74 tied to a common 3.3V power source with the light source 72. The light sensors may output a voltage signal via an output conductor 91 that couples the light sensor 74 with the microprocessor 73 that the microprocessor 73 converts to a 4-bit or an 8-bit voltage signal value.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the circuit 90 includes a plurality of light sources 72 each of which is tied to a common power source with one light sensor 74. Each light source and light sensor combination may form a coupled pair of components. It should be appreciated that while FIG. 4 shows only two light sensors 74, the circuit 90 may include a plurality of light sensors 74, such as three, four or more light sensors 74, for example. Having a plurality of light sensors 74 may provide advantages in generating multiple voltage signals that may then be used by the controller 71 to identify the toy vehicle 20. This redundancy of signals may increase the reliability and consistency of the identification of the toy vehicle.

The circuit 90 may further include additional components, such as a resistor 81 that connects the light sensor 74 to ground, and a capacitor 83 that may be used to filter transient signals. In still another non-limiting embodiment, the circuit 90 includes an additional light source 85 and light sensor 87 located at the opposite end of the pathway 66, such as adjacent obstacle 68 for example, that allows the controller 71 to determine when the toy vehicle 20 has exited the pathway 66. The circuit 90 may include still further components such as a voltage regulator 89 and an audio device 77, for example.

The controller 71 may additionally include a storage device 75 having a plurality of representative data stored for each toy vehicle 20 compatible for play with the toy track 60. In one embodiment, the plurality of representative data is stored on the storage device in a database. In another embodiment, the plurality of representative data is stored in the form of a look-up table. Exemplary storage devices 75 include a solid state memory, a flash memory, and a non-volatile memory. The storage device may be integrated with the controller 71, or it may be removably connected to the controller 71 such that it can be replaced if necessary. In one embodiment, the storage device 75 is capable of receiving data from an external source, such as a flash drive or wireless connection, for example. The plurality of representative data stored on for each toy vehicle 20 on the storage device 75 may include general data that may be produced whenever the toy vehicle 20 is identified. In other non-limiting embodiments, the data produced may depend on the configuration of the toy vehicle 20. This plurality of representative data stored for each toy vehicle 20 may include expressions, sounds, and light patterns, for example. In one embodiment, the storage device 75 may also have the capability to log the use and performance of a toy vehicle 20. In this embodiment, the storage device 75 stores additional representative data that is only produced once a toy vehicle 20 has been identified a requisite number of times or has performed a requisite number of stunts.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the controller 71 may be responsive to executable computer instructions for receiving and storing data in response to a signal from the user. In this way, the user may configure or program the controller 71 to identify a new toy vehicle. In one embodiment, the user may place the new toy vehicle adjacent the light sensors 74. The controller 71 then directs light onto the new toy vehicle and receives a signal from the light sensor 74. By performing this method, the controller 71 may develop and store a signature on the storage device 75 that is representative of the new toy vehicle. In one embodiment, the controller 71 directs light and receives the signal from the light sensors 74 multiple times to achieve a desired reliability in identifying the new toy vehicle. In still another non-limiting embodiment, the controller 71 is configured with an interface, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection for example, allowing an external connection to allow new data to be transmitted and stored on the storage device 75.

In operation, when a voltage is applied to the circuit 90, the light source 72 will emit a light. The light sensor 74 of circuit 90 acts as a switch with a default “open” position. When the light sensor 74 receives the light reflected off of an object does the light sensor 74 close to complete the circuit. In this closed position, the light sensor 74 processes the reflected light and provides an output voltage to a connected controller for identification of the object. In one embodiment, the voltage signal output by the light sensor 74 will be representative of the intensity of the reflected light. In another non-limiting embodiment, the voltage signal is representative of the wavelength (e.g. color) of the reflected light. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the voltage signal is representative of the gray scale value of the reflected light. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the light sensor 74 may output a series of voltage signal pulses. It should be appreciated that the intensity of the light sensor 74 may further be sensitive to other parameters, such as surface finish (e.g. gloss, flat, matte) and distance from the object (e.g. object shape) for example. These parameters may change the output signal and allow the controller to distinguish between similar toy vehicles.

As will be discussed in more detail herein, the voltage signals are received by the microprocessor 73 via conductor 91. In response to receiving the signal, the microprocessor 73 executes one or more methods that allow the identification of the toy vehicle 20, such as the method 100 shown in FIG. 5 for example. In one non-limiting embodiment, the microprocessor 73 compares each of the 4-bit voltage signals received from the light sensors 74 to a database or table of values. The database includes values and an associated identity of a toy vehicle. The microprocessor 73 then identifies the toy vehicle as being the one that corresponds to one of the received voltage signals. In another non-limiting embodiment, the voltage signals are averaged and the average signal value is compared with the database or table. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the voltage signals are summed and the total value is compared with the database or table. Once the toy vehicle 20 is identified, the microprocessor 73 outputs a signal that generates an audio or a visual message.

In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle identification system 70 is positioned at the start position of the track 60, such as at launcher 80. Such a placement allows the toy vehicle 20 to be identified at the beginning of the toy vehicle's 20 travel along the track 60. The track set 60 may include additional vehicle identification systems 70 disposed elsewhere along the pathway 66 of the track 60, such as adjacent a feature of the track 60. For example, in FIG. 2, an obstacle 68 is positioned across the pathway 66 of the toy track 60. A vehicle identification system 70 may be located in a portion of the track 60 just after the obstacle 68. As will be discussed in more detail below, in one non-limiting embodiment, by positioning a vehicle identification system 70 after an obstacle 68 or other feature, the vehicle identification system 70 may detect whether the toy vehicle 20 transformed from a first configuration to a second configuration after attempting to traverse the feature.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the controller 71 of the vehicle identification system 70 is connected to a display device 76 for producing representative data stored in the storage device 75 to a user. In an exemplary embodiment, the display device 76 includes the audio device 77, which may be a speaker for example. When the identity of a toy vehicle 20 is determined by the controller 71, audible statements and other sounds associated with to the identified toy vehicle 20 are produced.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a method 100 for producing data based on the identification of a toy vehicle is illustrated. In block 102, a toy vehicle 20 is positioned on the track 60 in front of an embedded toy vehicle identification system 70. In block 104, the light source 72 of the toy vehicle identification system 70 emits a light toward the surface 21 of toy vehicle 20 positioned in the pathway 66 of the track 60. The plurality of light sensors 74 positioned adjacent the light source 72 within the wall of track 60 receive the light reflected from the toy vehicle 20 in block 106. The received light generates a signal in block 107 that is transmitted to the microprocessor 73. In block 108, the controller 71 uses the signal from the light sensors 74 to establish the identity of the toy vehicle 20 as well as its configuration. Representative data associated with the identity and configuration of the toy vehicle 20 are then produced by the display device 76 in block 110.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another toy track 112 is shown having a launcher 80. Extending from the launcher 80, the toy track 112 includes a plurality of pathways 114, 116, 118. The pathways 114, 116, 118 are separated by one or more diverters or movable walls 120, 122 that are connected to an actuator 124, 126, such as a solenoid for example. The first pathway 114 directs the toy vehicle 20 into one or more stunt areas 128, such as a jump or a looped track section for example. In one non-limiting embodiment, the stunt areas 128 are interchangeable allowing for variety and enhanced play.

The second pathway 116 is configured to direct the toy vehicle 20 into a simulated repair shop 130 to enhance play by allowing the user to simulate the repairing of the toy vehicle 20. The toy vehicle 20 is directed into the first pathway 114 or the second pathway 116 depending on the position of the first movable wall 120. The third pathway 118 is configured to direct the toy vehicle 20 into a simulated “crusher” device 132 that allows the user to imagine that the toy vehicle 20 is being demolished, crushed or destroyed. The toy vehicle 20 is directed into the first pathway 114 or third pathway 118 depending on the position of the second movable wall 122.

The actuators 124, 126 are electrically coupled to the controller 71 to allow the controller 71 to change the position of the movable walls 120, 122. In one non-limiting embodiment, the controller 71 stores data indicating the performance of a particular toy vehicle 20, such as by monitoring and storing the number of times the toy vehicle has successfully traversed the stunt area 128 for example, or the number of times the toy vehicle 20 has crashed. When the controller 71 determines that the toy vehicle 20 has exceeded a predetermined threshold for the number of crashes, the controller 71 may transmit a signal to the actuator 126 causing the actuator 126 to move the wall 122 into a position that directs the toy vehicle onto the pathway 118. Thus, once the toy vehicle 20 has crashed a number of times, the toy vehicle 20 is automatically directed through the third pathway 118 and into the crusher device 132. When the controller 71 determines that the toy vehicle 20 has successfully traversed the stunt area 128 a number of times (e.g. via light source 85 and light sensor 87), the controller 71 may transmit a signal to the actuator 124 causing the actuator 124 to move the wall 120 into a position that directs the toy vehicle into the pathway 116. Thus, when the toy vehicle 20 is launched, the toy vehicle 20 is automatically directed into the simulated repair shop 130. In one embodiment, the controller 71 may randomly change the position of the movable walls 120, 122 to provide a variety of play. In some embodiments, the controller 71 determines that the toy vehicle 20 has crashed a number of times via light source 85 and light sensor 87.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment of a toy vehicle 20 is illustrated. The toy vehicle 20 is assembled from several components including a plurality of wheels 22, a chassis 30, a front bumper 32, and an exterior surface 34 including a front surface 36 and a back surface 38. When the toy vehicle 20 is in a first configuration, shown in FIG. 7, the front surface 36 and the back surface 38 are adjacent and substantially flush to create the appearance of a substantially uniform exterior surface 34. When the toy vehicle 20 is in a second configuration, shown in FIG. 8, the front and back surfaces 36, 38 of the exterior surface 34 separate such that they no longer appear as a single surface. The transformation of the toy vehicle 20 to the second configuration causes the front surface 36 to rotate in a first direction and the back surface 38 to rotate in a second, opposite direction creating the appearance that the toy vehicle 20 has been in an accident. In the first configuration, such as when the toy vehicle 20 appears to be undamaged for example, a first indicia 40 is disposed on a portion of the exterior surface 34 of the car. In an exemplary embodiment, the first indicia 40 is positioned on at least one side of the toy vehicle 20 and spans across a portion of both the front surface 36 and the back surface 38 of the toy vehicle 20. The first indicia 40 may be any shape or design having either a single color or a plurality of colors. When the first indicia 40 includes a plurality of colors, these may be random or a pattern. As illustrated in FIG. 7, an exemplary first indicia 40 of the toy vehicle 20 is a pair of racing lines having at least one color.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the toy vehicle 20 transforms from the first configuration, shown in FIG. 7, to a second configuration, shown in FIG. 8, upon application of an impact force to a surface of the toy vehicle 20. In an exemplary embodiment, application of an impact force to the front bumper 32, such as when the toy vehicle 20 crashes into another object for example, causes the exterior surface 34 of the toy vehicle 20 to change. In one embodiment, the front surface 36 and the back surface 38 separate and rotate, thereby creating the appearance of damage to the toy vehicle 20 caused by the impact force of a crash. The front surface 36 pivots about the front bumper 32 in a direction indicated by arrow A and the back surface 38 pivots about the rear bumper (not shown) in the direction indicated by arrow B. The functionality and operability of the front bumper 32, the rear bumper, the chassis 30, and the plurality of wheels 22 is may not be affected by the application of an impact force and the transformation of the toy vehicle 20 to a second configuration. This separation and rotation of the front surface 36 and the back surface 38 exposes a secondary surface 42 of the vehicle 20 disposed underneath the exterior surface 34. The secondary surface 42 is located in substantially the same area of the toy vehicle 20 as the first indicia 40. Located on this secondary surface 42 is a second indicia 44 different from the first indicia located on the exterior surface 34.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the toy vehicle 20 additionally includes headlights 46 responsive to an impact force. The toy vehicle 20 contains a motion sensor 47 for determining when the toy vehicle 20 experiences an impact force. Each headlight 46 may include a light emitting diode (LED) connected to the motion sensor 47, such that when the motion sensor 47 detects an impact force being applied to the toy vehicle 20, the LEDs located within the headlights 46 flash.

It should be appreciated that the indicia 40, 44 may change the output signal from the light sensors 74. As discussed above, the controller 71 includes a processor 73 that compares the signal value received from the light sensors 74 to a database of known values to identity the toy vehicle 20. In embodiments having a toy vehicle 20 that may move from a first configuration to a second configuration, the controller 71 may use the signal value to determine the configuration of the toy vehicle. In this embodiment, the database may have multiple signal values associated with each toy vehicle identification.

In one embodiment, if the controller 71 detects the first indicia 40, a first message or noise will be played from the category of representative data that may only be produced when the toy vehicle 20 is identified in a first configuration. Similarly, if the controller 71 detects the second indicia 44, a message or noise will be played from the category of representative data that may only be produced when the toy vehicle 20 is identified in a second configuration. In one embodiment, the display device 76 may include a visual display. When the identity and configuration of a toy vehicle 20 are determined by the controller 71, the visual display may produce a lighting effect unique to that toy vehicle 20. Additionally, the lighting effects for the toy vehicle 20 may differ depending on whether the toy vehicle 20 was determined to be in a first configuration or a second configuration.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy, comprising: a toy vehicle having at least one reflective surface; a toy track having a toy vehicle guiding pathway; a toy vehicle identification system coupled to at least a portion of the toy track, the toy vehicle identification system having: a light source arranged to direct an emitted light towards the at least one reflective surface; a plurality of light sensors, each arranged to receive the emitted light that is reflected from the at least one reflective surface; and, a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of light sensors, the controller having a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for identifying the toy vehicle in response to a first signal received from the plurality of light sensors.
 2. The toy according to claim 1, wherein the first signal is indicative of an intensity value of the emitted light that is reflected from the at least one reflective surface.
 3. The toy according to claim 2, wherein the controller is further responsive to executable computer instructions for determining an identity of the toy vehicle from a database in response to receiving the first signal, wherein the database includes a plurality of toy vehicles and an associated intensity value for each of the plurality of toy vehicles.
 4. The toy according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of light sensors is comprised of a first light sensor, a second light sensor, a third light sensor and a fourth light sensor, each of the plurality of light sensors outputting a second signal having an eight-bit intensity value.
 5. The toy according to claim 4, wherein the controller is further responsive to executable computer instructions for averaging each of the second signals and identifying the toy vehicle from an average intensity value.
 6. The toy according to claim 4, wherein the controller is further responsive to executable computer instructions for summing each of the second signals and identifying the toy vehicle from a total intensity value.
 7. The toy according to claim 4, wherein the controller is further responsive to executable computer instructions for comparing each of the second signals to the database intensity values and identifying the toy vehicle by determining the database intensity value that corresponds to one of the second signals.
 8. The toy according to claim 3, wherein the toy vehicle is configured to transform between a first configuration and a second configuration, the toy vehicle reflecting the emitted light with a first intensity value in the first configuration, and reflecting the emitted light with a second intensity value in the second configuration.
 9. The toy according to claim 8 wherein the database includes a first plurality of intensity values and a second plurality of intensity values, each of the first plurality of intensity values being associated with one of the plurality of toy vehicles in the first configuration and the second plurality of intensity values being associated with one of the plurality of toy vehicles in the second configuration.
 10. The toy according to claim 1 wherein the toy vehicle guiding pathway includes a first pathway coupled to a second pathway with a movable wall disposed therebetween, an actuator is coupled to the movable wall and is electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the actuator moves the movable wall from a first position to a second position in response to a signal from the controller.
 11. The toy vehicle set of claim 1 wherein the plurality of light sensors includes four light sensors, the four light sensors each outputting a second signal, the second signal having a four bit intensity value.
 12. The toy vehicle of claim 1 further comprising a display device electrically coupled to the controller, wherein the display device generates a message in response to the controller receiving first third signal.
 13. A method of identifying a toy vehicle comprising: emitting a light from a light source; receiving the light reflected off the toy vehicle by a plurality of light sensors; generating a first signal of intensity value with each of the plurality of light sensors; determining an identity of the toy vehicle from the first signal; and transmitting a second signal based on the identity of the toy vehicle.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the reflected light determines a color of the toy vehicle.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the light from the light source is emitted onto a side of the toy vehicle having a first indicia or a second indicia.
 16. The according to claim 13, further comprising generating an audio message in response to the second signal.
 17. An identification system comprising: a light source positioned adjacent a movable portion of a toy; a plurality of light sensors positioned adjacent the light source for sensing light from the light source reflected off of the movable portion, wherein the sensed light determines at least one feature of the object; and a controller includes a processor responsive to executable computer instructions that identifies the object in response to receiving signals from the plurality of light sensors.
 18. The identification system of claim 17, further comprising a display device configured to produce representative data of the identified object.
 19. The identification system of claim 17, wherein the processor is further responsive to executable instructions for: storing information relating to the configuration and use of the identified object; and directing light on the object, receiving a signal indicative of the object, and storing a signature for the object. 